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T O P I C R E V I E W

machbusterman

Tonight at 7pm on BBC4 (Digital viewers only) - In Search of SpeedBattle of the Rocket Men: Featuring heart-stopping archive footage and interviews with the people involved, this episode tells the story of air speed records from post war to Space Race.

Those interviewed include British test pilot Capt. Eric Brown, Gen. Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover (interviewed at "The Proud Bird" in El Segundo), Scott Crossfield (at his home in Herndon, VA), Dee Beeler (at his home), Dr. Jim Young (at the AFFTC HO), Bill Dana, Joe Engle, Stan Butchart and lastly the late Brig. Gen. Pete Everest at his home in Tucson. This was the last interview before Pete's passing last October and was filmed only a few weeks beforehand.

Its a British production and is the first trully objective documentary I've seen made by a UK production company.

Some of the footage is just amazing with some great footage that I'd never seen before (and that IS saying something!!).

Set your video recorder's folks and watch this televisual feast of aerospace history.

Warmest regards, Derek

P.S. The reason I know about this is I accidentaly switched onto BBC4 when I was going to watch the Stallone movie "Cliff Hangar"... SO glad I ended up on BBC4 instead of BBC3 ;0)

gliderpilotuk

Derek,

I caught the last 5 mins (grrr) but it was excellent. Hearing history from the mouths of these guys was awesome.I then stayed up until 1am watching The Right Stuff for the n'th time. Made me sad thinking of Gordo, but he definitely had that mischievous twinkle in his eyes when I sat next to him for dinner in Burbank.

Paul

icarkie

Hi DerekWas it on tonight ??? or yesterday ???.The reason I ask is that I asked our kid last weekend to tape it for me, and I'm sure he said it was on Wednesday.Either way I'm looking forword to itAll the bestIan

machbusterman

Hi Paul & Ian,

The programme was on lastnight (Wednesday) but is/was also on today. It was shown on BBC4 at 7pm and will also be repeated on BBC4 at 105am on Friday morning.

General Cardenas has asked me to tape it for him so now I have to hope and pray that my video recorder doesn't digest the tape tonight... nothing like a little bit of pressure eh?<LOL>

I'm contemplating writing to the BBC and asking if its possible to get a copy on tape/DVD as its a program I could watch again and again.

I watched the first few minutes of The Right Stuff last night myself. A fine piece of entertainment but no-where near enough to reality for me. If you enjoyed the movie you should try and get the special edition on DVD as it has interviews with Gordo, Yeager & Scott Carpenter & Wally Schirra.

All the best, Derek

machbusterman

This programme is also on again tonight on BBC4 at 2355 hours for those that missed it last week.